Installation, replacement and repair
Instant water heater installation
An instant water heater heats water as it flows and serves one shower point, so there is no tank to wait for. It does not need a PUB Licensed Plumber, but any new power point must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker, and labour is usually $120–280.
Typical price
$120–$280labour only, unit extraTypical job time
1–2 hours
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
When to replace or repair
- The water only gets lukewarm, even on the highest setting.
- The heater cuts in and out during a shower, swinging between hot and cold.
- Water drips from the bottom of the casing or the inlet connection.
- The unit trips the power, or the indicator light no longer comes on.
- The shower flow is weak and you want a model with a built-in pump.
- The casing is cracked or yellowed, or the controls no longer respond.
Common reasons
- A burnt-out heating element or a faulty temperature control.
- A clogged inlet filter or shower head that cuts the flow below what the heater needs to switch on.
- Low water pressure on upper floors, which a pump model can help with.
- Upgrading to a rain-shower set with a heater built in or paired with it.
- Renovation, or replacing an old storage heater with an instant one in a small bathroom.
- An old unit with no spare parts left for its model.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Check the isolator switch is on and the indicator light comes on.
- Open the shower fully. Many instant heaters need a minimum flow before they switch on.
- Unscrew the shower head and rinse out any grit or scale that may be cutting the flow.
- Note the brand, model and power rating from the label so a replacement can be matched.
Stop and call if
- The casing feels hot, smells of burning or shows scorch marks.
- The heater trips the DB when switched on. That is an electrical fault for a Licensed Electrical Worker.
- Water is leaking inside the casing or near the power cable.
What we do
- 1Check the existing power point, isolator and wiring, and confirm the new model suits your water pressure and shower set.
- 2Switch off at the isolator, shut the water supply and remove the old unit and its bracket.
- 3Mount the new heater and connect the cold water inlet and the shower outlet.
- 4Reconnect to the existing power point. A new point, or upgrading one that cannot take the load, is done by a Licensed Electrical Worker.
- 5Run water through the heater before switching on, then test temperature, flow and the pump if fitted.
How much it costs
Most instant water heater installation jobs in Singapore cost $120–$280 (labour only, unit extra). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Labour, plumber install or replace$120–$280
- Basic install offered by some retailers with the unit$70–$90
- Instant heater unit$110–$380
- New power point by a Licensed Electrical Worker$250–$450
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The heater and its power point are the owner's to maintain. If you are swapping a storage heater for an instant one, check that a power point can be placed safely near the shower, which is work for a Licensed Electrical Worker.
Condo
Let management or security know before the visit, and keep drilling to the hours set in the by-laws. Check whether the shower wall has a power point before buying.
Landed
Each bathroom needs its own heater and power point. Upper-floor bathrooms often have weaker flow, so check the pressure before choosing a basic model.
Instant water heater installation: common questions
Do I need a licensed plumber for an instant water heater?
No. PUB does not require a Licensed Plumber to install an instantaneous water heater, and the pipe between the stop valve and the heater is exempt too. Electrical work, such as a new power point, must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker.
Can one instant heater serve two bathrooms?
Most instant heaters sold for Singapore homes serve one outlet, normally a single shower. Each bathroom needs its own unit, or you can choose a storage heater that feeds several points.
Will an instant heater work with low water pressure?
A basic model may give only lukewarm water or cut out if the flow is too low. Pump models boost the flow, which helps on upper floors or in flats with weak pressure.
What is a rain-shower instant heater?
It is a shower set with a large overhead rain shower and a handheld spray, with the heater built in or paired with it. It needs a solid wall for the rail and enough flow for the overhead head.
Is an instant heater cheaper to run than a storage heater?
It only uses power while water is flowing, so there is no tank to keep hot. Running cost depends on how long and how often you shower, so compare power ratings with your household's habits.
Get a price for instant water heater installation
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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